Bookkeeping and Accounting Clerks

Employment opportunities for bookkeepers and accounting clerks are expected to decline for all occupations through 2032, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Nevertheless, an increased emphasis on accuracy and accountability in the financial information of public companies and new regulations such as the International Financial Reporting Standards will create some openings. There also will be some job openings created as bookkeepers and accounting clerks retire or move to other occupations, as the turnover rate in this occupation is high. Offices are centralizing their operations, setting up one center to manage all accounting needs in a single location. As more companies trim back their workforces, opportunities for temporary work should continue to grow.

The United States Department of Labor reports that bookkeeping is connected to the growth of small businesses, which prefer to hire bookkeepers rather than accountants due to their relatively lower cost. Consequently, economic growth should create some openings for bookkeepers to maintain these organizations’ financial records.

On the other hand, technological enhancements and automation of office functions—including improvements in document-scanning technology and accounting software and a reduction of the need for clerks to send and receive checks—will continue to increase overall worker productivity. For example, the Department of Labor asserts that software improvements, such as cloud computing, have automated many of the tasks previously completed by bookkeepers. As a result, bookkeepers will increasingly be hired on a contract basis through third party bookkeeping firms, rather than being held on staff.

These above developments will likely arrest any job significant growth in many settings, but workers will still be needed to update statements and check documents and transactions for accuracy. Excellent computer skills, skill in multiple bookkeeping and accounting activities, and professional certification will be vital to securing a job.